Josh Heupel says Cedric Tillman absence not connected to ankle injury, expects him back vs South Carolina

Volunteers star wide receiver Cedric Tillman didn’t play for No. 5 Tennessee during the 66-24 win over Missouri on Saturday. It was the senior’s last game at Neyland Stadium but Josh Heupel said he and the staff believed it was “probably best” for the wide receiver to sit the game out.

Tillman dressed for pregame warmups and went through the Senior Day ceremony before the game in full pads. However, he later put on street clothes to watch the win from the Tennessee sideline.

“Ced could’ve played in this one,” Josh Heupel said after the game. “Just everything going on, it has nothing to do with the ankle. He’ll be ready to go next week. As a program, and talking with him after warmups, just felt like it was probably best to sit this one out.”

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Tennessee didn’t end up needing Tillman against Missouri, rolling up a school-record 724 yards of total offense. However, they will want him for the final two games of the season and beyond.

The Vols, now 9-1 and 5-1 in the SEC, play at South Carolina next week and end the regular-season schedule on November 26 at Vanderbilt.

Tennessee handles Missouri without Tillman

On Saturday, Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker went 25-for-35 for 355 yards and three touchdowns before Joe Milton stepped in for relief. They rushed 37 times as a team for 264 yards and five more touchdowns on the ground. 

Without Tillman, leading the way for the Volunteers receiving crew versus the Tigers was once again Jalin Hyatt. He had his fifth 100+ yard game, posting 146 yards on seven catches with one touchdown. Bru McCoy also topped 100 yards with 111 on nine receptions on Saturday.

Tillman missed three games earlier this season due to a high-ankle sprain. So far this year, he has 28 catches for 336 yards and one touchdown. It’s been disappointing for the senior who topped 900 yards yards in the regular season in 2021. Although he only has a few games left to contribute, Tillman could still bust out some impressive stats. In the final six games last season, he had 41 catches for 787 yards and nine scores.